Telling fact from fiction: the truth about regrooving truck tyres

Regrooving can increase the mileage potential of both new MICHELIN tyres and retreaded MICHELIN Remix® tyres by an average of 25%. The process of regrooving is a crucial stage in optimising the mileage of your tyres and using their full potential.

Regrooving truck tyres helps to unlock considerable savings. When performed on a first life MICHELIN tyre (once it reaches 2-4mm of remaining tread depth), and again on a MICHELIN Remix tyre, it delivers a combined 50% increase in mileage performance.

Throughout its life, the tyre’s low rolling resistance allows for reducing fuel consumption and, thus, CO2 emissions. Regrooving is carried out when the tyre has the lowest rolling resistance, enabling you to save up to 5% in fuel consumption⁽¹⁾. Regrooved tyres also offer 25% extra mileage performance in a tyre’s most fuel-efficient state.

The practice of regrooving consists of cutting new grooves into the existing layers of base rubber which are built into MICHELIN new and Remix tyres as standard, using a specialist regrooving tool. This deepens the tyre’s tread depth so you can regain grip and drive in complete safety. In the wet, a regrooved tyre’s grip and traction improves by around 10% compared to the same tyre when worn ⁽²⁾

MICHELIN regroovable tyres are marked on the sidewall with the « U » symbol or the words « REGROOVABLE ». Michelin recommends regrooving be carried out when there is still 2-4 mm of remaining tread. All MICHELIN tyres have a regrooving well in the centre of the tread wear indicators, to allow high-quality regrooving to be carried out. It is essential that the regrooving be carried out by a professional in accordance with our recommended guidelines.

Although Michelin advises regrooving bus and truck steer tyres, some countries do not accept the use of regrooved tyres on the front axle.

Regrooving tyres extends their life in their most fuel-efficient state. The practice of regrooving means you can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1.1 kg/100 km per axle⁽³⁾.

Regrooving also means less waste, as fewer raw materials are used because the tyre's life is extended. It also limits the emission of wear particles, which are more common in new tyres.

In order to avoid vehicle downtime during regrooving, we recommend you keep fitted assemblies in stock to optimise the operation. It takes around 2.5 hours to regroove four tyres. And the work can be carried out professionally for you by your local dealer.

Specific regrooving patterns are available for each tyre to guide your regrooving operations. Regrooving tyres provides added grip and traction, optimising the tyre's mileage potential and reducing the fuel consumption.